Are you looking for the effective teachers top tips to make the new year successful? The new year is a great time to reflect and make some changes in your classroom and personal life. What is working and what is not working? How can we make this our best year yet?
Students who feel successful in math class are happier and more engaged in learning. Check out The Bonus Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys for students to use in your classroom to cultivate a positive classroom community in mathematics. You can also sign up for other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.
I am constantly reflecting on what is working and what needs to be adjusted in my classroom and personal life. This includes the organization of the room, the mindset of myself and my students, the learning that is happening, and my healthy (or unhealthy) habits. In order to be an effective teacher, we need to be reflective and continue to grow and evolve over time.
What Is Teachers Effectiveness?
Effective teachers provide a safe, positive, respectful, nurturing, and student-centered classroom. They analyze data and plan for effective instruction based on the data. Effective teachers continually reflect and evaluate their teaching to do what is best for the students. They build positive relationships with students that motivate students to learn and do their best. For all of this to happen, teachers need to feel good.
The Effective Teachers Characteristics
- Respect their students
- Builds relationships
- Encourages a Growth Mindset
- Patiently handles situations
- Continually look for ways to become better
- Collaborate with other teachers
- Data-driven
- Student-centered
- Multi-tasker/Organized
These are just a sample of some of the characteristics of an effective teacher. What other characteristics do you think are essential?
A well-organized classroom improves engagement and happiness levels in the classroom. Read more about setting up your classroom and engaging students:
- 5 Best Strategies for Engaging Students to Learn in Mathematics Class
- 7 Easy and Inspiring Ideas for Classroom Setup of your Math Classroom
Habits of The Effective Teachers
Happy teachers are effective teachers, so the first step in being an effective teacher is taking care of yourself.
Sleep and Recharge
Did you know that an adult’s recommended amount of sleep is seven to nine hours? That kind of sleep might be difficult during the school year. However, use the start of a new year to build some positive sleep habits.
Go to bed early, sleep late, and take naps when possible. Sleep plays a vital role in health and well-being.
I try to have my lights out by 9:30 pm and awake by 5:30 am during the school year. In the summer or on weekends, I might shift these hours a little, but I try to stay constant to get seven to nine hours of sleep. What time would you like to be up? Now, work backward and figure out when you need to sleep.
Read or Take a Class
Reading is a great way to learn, grow, and relax. Evenings and weekends are the perfect time to relax and read a book.
I also like to read or listen to at least one professional book but do whatever will make you happy. This past year I began to listen to books in my car, while exercising, or even folding laundry, and it has been a game-changer.
Another way to relax and grow is by taking a class, joining a club, or trying a new hobby. This could be any type of class or club- weight lifting, painting, or a new language. Try something new and have fun.
Exercise
Teaching is physical work. We are in a constant state of motion- walking, standing, and crouching next to students. I often struggle to exercise after school.
Try to use the new year to get into a good exercise routine. It could be waking up early, taking a walk or run, or taking an exercise class. I like to plan out my week of exercise on Sunday night; when can I fit in 20 minutes?
Using a device to count steps can be something you can start to do. For example, aim for 10,000 steps by walking or running (you could be listening to a book or podcast simultaneously). Then, during the school day, continue counting steps and taking the long way to places to get more steps into your day.
Yoga is also a great exercise because it helps you relax and restore. The new year is a great time to try a class or find an online video.
There is considerable scientific research demonstrating the impact of nature on inspiring creativity, reducing stress, and increasing productivity. So take a walk or exercise outside. You can also buy plants for your home or classroom, plant a garden, or listen to the sounds of nature to improve your happiness.
Planning out when you will exercise during the school year is essential. Will it be before or after school? Do you need to adjust your sleep schedule to fit in enough sleep and exercise?
Catch up on Family and Friend Time
The single most significant predictor of our life satisfaction is the quality of our relationships. So investing time and energy in building and maintaining close relationships is the best way to live a longer, happier life.
We need to make choices to spend more time with people who matter most to us, bringing us greater happiness.
Clean and Organize
Take some time and put your living space in order. It is challenging to keep on top of everything during the school year. This could mean cleaning your house, organizing a closet, or painting a room.
Having a clean, organized space makes you feel better. It will help you be less stressed and more efficient.
Develop Your Growth Mindset
Mindset can have real and lasting effects on your physical health. People who go through life with a positive outlook feel happier and experience better physical well-being because they experience less stress. When they face difficult situations, they use strategies to handle the situation.
Stress
Stress is unavoidable, but we can control how we think about or frame the challenges we experience.
Deep breathing techniques are a simple relaxation approach designed to help people relax. You can find many different techniques on the internet. In addition, practicing yoga, walking, or exercising can help to relax and lower stress. We can’t control what life throws at us, but we can all practice reframing complex events as challenges we can overcome. Read more.. Top 3 Ways for Improving As a Teacher and Growing Your Mindset
The Effective Teacher Professional Development
As a teacher for over 22 years, I have been to many different types of professional development. Some, I would say, were a more effective teacher training, while others were less effective. So what makes some trainings better than others?
Effective professional development is structured professional learning that changes teacher practices and improves student learning outcomes.
This means the training helps you grow and change as an educator to be an effective teacher. I always find the good in professional development and think about what I can learn from it to make me a better teacher.
Attending an excellent professional development is a great way to get yourself motivated and ready for the new year.
Examples of Elements in an Effective Teacher Training
- Content Focused
- Active Learning
- Collaboration with other Professionals
- Uses Models of Effective Practice
- Feedback and Reflection Time
- Coaching
- Adequate Length of Time
- Knowledgable Presenters
- Available Materials and Resources
Creating Positive Learning Environments
The first step is to learn about mindset. Reading about growth mindset teaching and becoming more aware of your mindset begins the process of improving your mindset.
The most important way for you to improve as a teacher is to improve your mindset. Teaching is difficult, with so many different components and stressors. However, if you are in a positive mindset, you can handle anything. Check out The Free Ultimate Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys to use in your classroom.
What Does Having a Growth Mindset Mean?
The way we think is called our “mindset.” Mindset is present in virtually every aspect of our lives and heavily influences the lens through which we see the world. There are two different kinds of mindsets: fixed mindset and growth mindset.
Definition of a Growth Mindset
People with growth mindsets believe they can develop their skills, talents, and abilities over time with hard work, effort, and perseverance. Our qualities are not inherent, but our willingness to learn, effort, and persistence determine how well we do.
With hard work and determination, anyone can achieve success in any area. Failures are viewed as opportunities for improvement.
It doesn’t ignore the fact that some people have more inherent skills for some things. We are all born with potential, but we might have innate strength or capacity in one or more specific areas. Your skills can be improved with experience and effort, regardless of where you started.
It doesn’t matter how fast students master learning; it is about the perseverance and effort they put forth and the strategies they utilize. All children can be successful.
Setting up your classroom to be inviting and include positive messages will help to foster a positive mindset. Click Here for 6 Growth Mindset Classroom Display Free Posters
Teaching Mindset in The Classroom
Research has shown that teaching students the concept of a growth mindset and how they can harness its power can positively impact student achievement. They need to learn that they can achieve in all areas and that struggling is part of the process. We need to help them understand the connection between effort and improvement.
Here are 5 Growth Mindset lessons for students I believe are essential first steps in teaching students about mindset. Find ready-to-use versions of these lessons HERE with lesson plans, Google Slides with talking points and digital and printable worksheets for students to complete. These lesson plans also contain suggested books and videos to use with students.
Read more… 5 Powerful and Easy Lessons Teaching Students How to Get a Growth Mindset
Effective Teaching Strategies
- Use concrete models.to build a conceptual understanding of math concepts before moving into the Representation and abstract stages.
- Use visuals and anchor charts to support student learning.
- Incorporating Growth Mindset messages and ideas into lessons.
- Activities that require collaboration and communication, so students are talking about math.
- Incorporating technology into lessons to enhance engagement and real-world application.
- Connections to real-world applications of math concepts.
Effective Teaching and Learning For Math Teachers
As we start a new year, take some time to reflect and think about your goals for the new year. Write down these goals and then make a plan to achieve them. Make these action steps something you can stick with, and will help you grow as a teacher.
Check out The Free Ultimate Guide for Creating a Growth Mindset Classroom and Students Who Love Math for ideas, lessons, and mindset surveys to use in your classroom. You can also sign up to receive other freebies from me Here at Easternshoremathteacher.com.
What are your goals for the new year? Personally, I want to exercise more, and I have already scheduled time on my calendar. Professionally, I want to do monthly lessons with my students to help develop their growth mindset. I believe the effective teacher reflects and sets goals with actionable steps.
One Response
Excellent post!